Stop-leak and anti-sludge composition and method of use in steam boilers and hot water heating systems

ABSTRACT

A STOP-LEAK AND ANTI-SLUDGE COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF USE IN STEAM BOILERS AND HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEMS COMPRISED OF 6 TO 9% PHENOL, 5 TO 8% CATECHU SOLIDS, 1.5 TO 2.5% SODIUM META-SILICATE, 8 TO 10% WOOD FIBRES (HARDWOODE, 0.3% TO 1% SILICONE OIL AND M2 TO 75* WATER, ALL BY WEIGHT. THE FOREGOING COMPOSITION HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE REMARKABLE STOP-LEAK AGENT AND ANTI-SLUDGE COMPOSITION FOR USE IN STEAM BOILERS AND HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEMS BECAUSE OF ITS COAGULTING PROPERTIES WHEN REACTING WITH PACKING OR OTHER SMALL OPENINGS IN CONDUITS EXPOSED TO THE ATMOSPHERE. THE COMPOSITION DISSOLVES SLUDGE AND ALSO HAS ANTI-FOAM PROPERTIES TO PREVENT THE BUILD-UP OF FOAM IN STEAM BOILERS, THEREBY PREVENTING SURGING. THE METHOD OF USE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION INVOLVES THE AFORESAID COMPOSITION.

United States Patent 3.740337 STOP-LEAK AND ANTl-SLUDGE COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF USE IN STEAM BOILERS AND HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEMS Norman A. Sommers, 326 Buttonwood Lane,

Harbor Bluffs, Largo, Fla. No Drawing. Filed July 2, 1971, Ser. No. 159,523 lint. Cl. C09k 3/02, 3/12 US. Cl. 252--72 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A stop-leak and anti-sludge composition and method of use in steam boilers and hot water heating systems comprised of 6 to 9% phenol, to 8% catechu solids, 1.5 to 2.5% sodium meta-silicate, 8 to 10% wood fibres (hardwood), 0.3% to 1% silicone oil and 72 to 75% water, all by weight.

The foregoing composition has been found to be remarkable stop-leak agent and anti-sludge composition for use in steam boilers and hot water heating systems because of its coagulating properties when reacting with packing or other small openings in conduits exposed to the atmosphere. The composition dissolves sludge and also has anti-foam properties to prevent the build-up of foam in steam boilers, thereby preventing surging. The method of use of the present invention involves the aforesaid composition.

This invention relates to a stop-leak and anti-sludge composition, and method of use in steam boilers and hot water heating systems, and has as its objective the provision of an entirely new and highly successful composition of this general class.

There are available on the market a number of stop leak agents which are generally adequate in hot water systems. However, when such agents are used in steam boilers, it has been determined that such agents encourage the build-up of wet steam in the system, and this soon leads to the development of surging throughout the system. Furthermore, such systems fail to include compatible agents to prevent the build-up of foam.

Also, the stop-leak agents on the market have not successfully combatted the build-up of sludge, and such sludge not only fouls valves, but also develops in the heat transfer fins of submerged coils, and this decreases heat transfer from the boiler to the hot water system.

Furthermore, the flow valve in a summer-winter hookup system is particularly susceptible to fouling. In a typical summer-winter hook-up system there is a coil that is submerged in the water of a boiler. During the summer, the fiow valve shuts off to prevent circulation of hot water to the heating registers throughout the house. Hence, even during the summer, the coil will be heated by the boiler to produce a domestic hot water supply.

In view of the foregoing functions that the flow valve must perform, its operation must be maintained, and fouling cannot be tolerated.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stop-leak and anti-sludge composition that will stop leaks either at the gaskets or joints and cracks in the system, and yet will not foul any operative valves.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a stop-leak and anti-sludge composition which has sufiicient coagulating properties to function as an effective stop-leak composition, but wherein said coagulating properties do not serve to build up sludge that will foul Patented June 19, 1973 Ice any operative valve. The present invention is so constituted as to congeal only when coming into contact with air.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a stop-leak and anti-sludge composition which will prevent sludge from forming on coils.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a stop-leak and anti-sludge composition which will prevent the clogging of flow valves in a summer-winter hook-up.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using a stop-leak and anti-sludge composition in accordance with the hereinabove stated objectives of the invention.

The foregoing as well as other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a stop-leak and anti-sludge composition and method of use in steam boilers and hot water heating system that will achieve outstanding results in spite of the seemingly antithetical properties of coagulation to stop leaks without the undesirable effect of having the coagulant encourage the build-up of sludge, and cause surging with the introduction of an impurity into the boiler water.

The following discussion and specific examples are Preferred Range of percentage percentages Component by weight by weight Phenol 7. 0 6- Oateehu solids 5. 9 5-3 Sodium meta-silicate. 2. 2 1. 5-2. 5

Wood fibres (hardwoo 9. 4 8-10 Silicone oil (Sag 471)-. 0.5 0. 3-1. 0

Men 73. 5 72-75 The method of use of the present invention involves combining a stop-leak and anti-sludge composition of the present invention into a steam boiler or hot water system at the rate of one quart per twenty-five gallon capacity of the boiler.

The phenol component of the invention contributes significant anti-foam properties since it lowers the surface tension of the steam produced in the boiler. Furthermore, the phenol acts as a solvent and tends to dissolve sludge.

The catechu solids function as a coagulant and binder with normal packing material to provide a quick build-up or blockage to stop leaks or to fill a crack.

The sodium meta-silicate acts as a thickener, hardener and a stabilizer. The wood fibre (hardwood) is a filler which adds body to the composition, and also the wood fibre combines with the catechu solids to produce a quick acting coagulant. A mesh size of less than 50 standard mesh is preferred up to about 200 mesh.

The silicon oil is known in the trade as Sag 471 and is manufactured by the Union Carbide Company, 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017. Other silicone oils will occur to those skilled in the art. The particular silicone oil used in this invention has a specific gravity at 25 C. of 1.00 and a viscosity at 25 C. of 2,500 centipoises.

The composition of the present invention is formulated by combining the phenol and catechu solids components.

The silicone oil is then aded to the foregoing mixture. The sodium meta-silicate is dissolved in the water, and the phenol mixture is added to the aforesaid aqueous solution. Finally, the wood fibre is added by way of normal stirring and is maintained in a state of suspension by the sodium meta-silicate.

The composition of the present invention is simply added to a steam boiler or hot Water system in an amount of on quart of composition per twenty-five gallons of boiler capacity.

The stop-leak and anti-sludge composition of the present invention has achieved excellent, if not amazing, results since it is able to provide the seemingly inconsistent properties of quick coagulation (for stop-leak purposes) and anti-sludge properties. It has been discovered that the phenol component does not adversely affect the coagulating properties of the other components, but at the same time, the phenol component imparts anti-foam and anti-sludge properties to the composition. Likewise, the silicone component imparts anti-sludge properties.

It can be seen that the present invention provides a unique solution to a long existing problem. While certain compositions have been suggested which may employ a few of the components of the present invention, none of the prior compositions have brought together the components of the present invention in the amount to produce the novel results of the invention.

It is to be understood that the proportions of the present invention can be varied to some extent so long as the desirable qualities of the invention are preserved. Also, it is conceivable that some substitution of equivalents can be made Without departing from the sphere and scope of the invention as long as the desirable qualities of the present invention are achieved.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention, that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A stop-leak and anti-sludge composition for use in steam boilers and hot water heating systems consisting essentially of the following:

2. The stop-leak and anti-sludge composition of claim 1 consisting essentially of the folowing:

Component: Percent by weight Phenol 7.0 Catechu solids 5.9 Sodium meta-silicate 2.2 Wood fibres (hardwood) 9.4 Silicone oil having a specific gravity at 25 C. of 1.00 and a viscosity at 25 C. of 2,500 centipoises 0.5 Water 73.5

3. A method of stopping leaks and preventing sludge in steam boilers and hot water heating systems which comprises adding to the boiler the following composition:

Component: Percent by weight Phenol 6 to 9 Catechu solids 5 to 8 Sodium metal-silicate 1.5 to 2.5 Wood fibres (hardwood) 8 to 10 Silicone oil having a specific gravity at 25 C. of 1.000 and a viscosity at 25 C. of 2,500 centipoises 0 .3 to .10 Water 72 to 75 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said composition is comprised essentially of the following:

Component: Percent by weight Phenol 7.0 Catechu solids 5.9 Sodium meta-silicate 2.2 Wood fibres (hardwood) 9.4 Silicone oil having a specific gravity at 25 C.

of 1.00 and a viscosity at 25 C. of 2,500 centipoises 0.5 Water 73.5

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,281,690 10/1918 Stern 25272 1,413,524 4/1922 Dolan 25272 1,715,337 5/1929 Coughlin 252--72 1,891,506 12/1932 Sommer et al 25272 2,167,139 7/ 1939 Skeen 25272 2,264,388 12/1941 Lamprey 25272 2,269,138 1/1942 Bernard 25272 2,815,079 12/1957 Goins, et al 252-8.5 LC 2,843,549 7/ 1958 Hardwood, et al 25272 2,885,296 5/ 1959 Welden 25272 3,358,703 12/1967 Ginsburg 25272 LEON D. ROSDOL, Primary Examiner H. A. PITLICK, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 10633 

